The following students have been named as nominees for the 2018 Artist of the Year in vocal music. We received 72 nominations from teachers and private instructors at Orange County high schools and arts organizations.

This arts discipline has been divided into three specialties: classical music, non-classical music, and commercial music. The semi-finalists will represent students in each specialty.

The nominees are listed with an endorsement from their nominating teacher and a link to the student’s work.

CLASSICAL

Andy Au

“Andy is the total package: voice, piano, leadership, and the nicest guy you want to know.” – David V. Montoya, La Habra High School

Laura Bast

“Laura Bast is a very well rounded music student. She has demonstrated her dedication to vocal music through her involvement in chamber choir, composer/arranger talents, and Hawkappella, our campus a cappella group.” – Aaron Jaramillo, Laguna Hills High School

Jeannine Bauer

“Jeannine Bauer is an excellent singer, musician, artist. he is an excellent scholar, and church soloist, and is a young lady of outstanding character who takes time to teach young students and support and encourage her fellow high school students.” – Kathleen Martin, Voice Classics Inc.

Sabrina Chen

“Sabrina is anxious to have more opportunity to indulge her love of opera and to participate in both choral and operatic music at the collegiate level. She looks forward to the challenge of private lessons and the opportunity to see if this is a life path.” – Nancy Stuck, Arnold O. Beckman High School

“Calla has been the heart and soul of our program here at San Juan Hills since she was a freshman. She has an intuitive sense of musical phrasing and style that permeates her performance.” – Michael Ushino, San Juan Hills High School

Gabrielle Dao

“Gabby displays a love for music everyday, and she makes the students around her stronger. She is the model choir student and certainly deserves this honor.” – David V. Montoya, Sunny Hills High School

Eugene Hwang

“Eugene Hwang is a multi-layered musician. Along with his abilities as a singer he also plays piano and uses his vocal talents as an impressive beatboxer. In any performance, Eugene works diligently to evoke the true meaning of the music he is performing through his expressiveness in dynamic variety, text intelligibility and more.” – Jordan Kirby, Crean Lutheran High School

Joey Krumbein

“Music and singing comes naturally for Joey. Starting at a very young age, Joey demonstrated a fine instrument, intuitive musicality, and a superb ear. His natural abilities have been greatly augmented by his desire to learn and grow and by his immensely strong initiative.” – Chelsea Dehn, Foothill High School

Niko Mancera

“Niko Mancera is by far the most impressive baritone I have encountered in at least 10 years. His voice fills the hall with power and authority, yet he has the most beautiful tone. Niko is naturally talented but he has had to work diligently for the success he has earned.” – Francisco Calvo, Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Sarika Mande

“Her singing voice has a beautiful, warm and rich tone that is matched by her ability to emote and stay committed to whatever character she is portraying.” – Erica Turrell, Private Instruction

Claire Manson

“Her classical training is extensive and in recent years, she has learned how to utilize her vocal technique to better perform other styles of music as well. Claire has also been developing her ability to tell a complete story through her voice and performance in addition to singing with very advanced technique.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

Jenny Martinez

“Jenny Martinez was chosen because she is a perfect example of how singing changes a person from the inside out.” – Brian Akamine, Century High School

Madison McWhirter

“I have seen Madison step outside of her comfort zone on numerous occasions to expand her repertoire. When other students remain stagnant, she listens to criticism and uses it to better herself.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

Alison Mendrella

“Alison Mendrella is a powerhouse who has excelled in both sports and music. She tried to balance the two for several years, and then one day in a vocal competition came to the realization that singing was to be her life’s passion.” – Scott Hedgecock, Fullerton Union High School

Megan Meyer

“Megan is simply brilliant. A brilliant performer, musician, and person. Her intellect is second to none in our program and her heart is as large and full of love as they come.” – Brian Dehn, JSerra Catholic High School

Kaylin Miller

“Kaylin can light up a room with her smile and with her joy for living and making music. She is an intellectual that strives to find the inner meaning within a composition and a poets intentions.” – Eric Graham, Marina High School

Isabel Pichler

“She is kind, gentle, supportive but also extremely talented. She is a member of a community professional choral group and is very dedicated to vocal performance in college.” – Brian Dehn, JSerra Catholic High School

MonaLisa Pomarleanu

“From the moment I met MonaLisa, I knew she was no ordinary student and performer. She has a unique passion for opera performance that is extremely rare at the high school level. She has an innate talent and she uses that talent to make others better.” – Keith Hancock, Tesoro High School

Nathaniel Romero

“He would love to be a performer and of all the students I have ever had, he is certainly the most talented. He has the work ethic to go with it. He is interested in becoming a teacher and is exploring composition and arranging for both voice and instruments.” – Nancy Stuck, Arnold O. Beckman High School

Alyssa Schickling

“Alyssa is quite simply an outstanding vocalist. She has the capability to sing in a large variety of styles, and is exemplary in each and every one. Her technique is consistent and beautiful, but most importantly she sings with such expression.” – Justin Miller, Mater Dei High School

Hannah Schooner

“Whether performing a tender ballad, or singing classically with our orchestra, she has the vocal timbre so suited for light operas and classical pieces as well as classical Broadway.” – Tim Nelson, Huntington Beach APA (Huntington Beach High School)

Blake Stevenson

“Blake is truly one of the most gifted vocalists I have ever had the pleasure to teach. His natural ability to communicate the meaning of his music, regardless of language, is unique.” – Stacey Miles, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Sophia Antoinette Strobel

“She possesses a beautiful mezzo-soprano instrument with real dramatic potential and everyone who hears her is touched by the lyric quality of her voice as well as her artistry.” – Ryan Reithmeier, Orange County School of the Arts

Alec Vida

“I have watched Alec develop and grow into a extremely talented vocal musician. He has lovely baritone voice and is often featured as soloist.” – Moana Dherlin, Los Alamitos High School

Lauren Villegas

“She possesses a beautiful, ringing soprano voice of impressive range and flexibility. Everyone who hears her is touched by the lyric quality of her voice as well as her intelligent artistry.” – Ryan Reithmeier, Orange County School of the Arts

Mia Villegas

“Though her talent and technique are of high quality, her musicianship and conveyance of the text she sings is where she truly shines.” – Jordan Kirby, Crean Lutheran High School

“She carries a high level of confidence, but is humble enough to keep her grounded and wanting to improve her skills. She can sing a variety of styles, but fell in love with opera and art song years ago, and her voice naturally gravitates to that style.” – Keith Hancock, Tesoro High School

Grace Weatrowski

“Grace Weatrowski loves to sing! She has challenged herself in numerous roles and vocal competitions, always with a determination to improve and to enjoy what she is doing. Grace is a sensitive performer, one who allows herself to let her music speak in ways that her conversations may not always be able to do.” – Scott Hedgecock, Fullerton Union High School

Damon Williams

“He is easily one of our most multi-faceted and responsible students in many years. Damon came to the Academy as a talented performer seeking refinement and further education.” – Tim Nelson, Huntington Beach APA (Huntington Beach High School)

COMMERCIAL

Kyla Allen

“Kyla is truly special. She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing. Kyla is truly special. She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing.” – Jill DeWeese, Buena Park High School

Lexy Baird

“Lexy is one of a kind! She is a new student to Western High School this year. She moved here from Topeka and was in a serious choral program there. Her love of music, professionalism, artistry, and tenacity towards increasing her skills in music is wonderful to witness.” – Paul Wargo, Western High School

Sarah Cocroft

“Sarah is an extremely determined student and she wants to be involved in a plethora of activities and never lets time constraints get in her way.” – Jamie Knight, Huntington Beach APA (Huntington Beach High School)

Miguel Andre De Guzman

“Miguel has been a member of the Kennedy Singers for the past four years and it is without a doubt he possess “It!” I have seen him grow into such an amazing musician along with a talented young individual that on a personal level it is sad to see him graduate!” – Sarah Anderson, John F. Kennedy High School

Eve DeVault

“Eve DeVault was meant to sing on a stage. She brings a wonderful combination of ability beyond her age and a comfort and ease in her stage presence. She really is a natural, and has been able to showcase her ability both in our choir, as a soloist, and as a featured lead in our spring musicals.” – Keith Hancock, Tesoro High School

Andrew Estrada

“Andrew is a powerhouse. He has an incredible voice, and he has a very distinct vision and style with his voice. Although he can sing in a number of styles, singing in a pop/commercial style is his forte.” – Justin Miller, Mater Dei High School

Esperanza Hart

“From her first year in choir at Costa Mesa High School, the audience could observe a spark that made her stand out from her fellow choir members when she was onstage. She has blossomed as a performer during her years at our school and has been featured as a lead performer in our musicals.” – Jon Lindfors, Costa Mesa High School

Emma Kremer

“Emma Kremer has a sincere heart; one that is both strong and caring while at the same time vulnerable.This is very evident in her performing.” – Scott Hedgecock, Fullerton Union High School

Sophie Lindborg

“Her voice is rich and compelling, and her artistic mastery of dynamics and storytelling help her paint each song vividly. She also has recently begun composing in the style of pop music and writing her own lyrics.” – Samantha Sanford, Dana Hills High School

Evgenia (Nia) Matty

“While relatively new to the performing scene, there isn’t a dry eye in the house when Nia takes the stage. Her brilliant lyrics, sweet voice and earnest performances easily make her a crowd favorite at events.” – Stacey Miles, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Luke Morris

“I have chosen Luke to represent Laguna Hills High School due to his hard work, fantastic attitude, and music aptitude that qualifies him for such a prestigious honor. Luke demonstrates the character qualities of a strong student and musician” – Aaron Jaramillo, Laguna Hills High School

Jillian Naffziger

“She is dedicated, hard-working, and talented. In addition to her excellent work as a classical choral singer, she is an exceptional pop/commercial vocalist. She writes her own songs and records/mixes them with a professional studio.” – Jason Harney, Aliso Niguel High School

Jada Northington

“Watch out, world! Jada Northington is a name to remember and she is going to represent Orange County well. Jada turns every song into an artistic masterpiece of her own and her heart is shown through every note that is sung.” – Megan Carvale, Orange Lutheran High School

Karen Ortega

“She’s a super person and a great musician. She has grown wonderfully in technique and expression over the years. She has developed into a skilled solo singer as well as a choral musician.” – Paul Wargo, Western High School

Carson Ripley

“Over the course of working with Carson Ripley, I am in constant awe of his passion for music and pure talent, not only as a vocalist, but also as an overall musician, musical director, performer, and arranger.” – Rachel Kramer, Orange County School of the Arts

Olivia Rybus

“I’ve nominated her as a vocalist, because her musicality, power and nuanced techniques are extraordinary for her age… but her vocals are perhaps outshone by her personality and penchant for leadership. She is the first to root her fellow classmates on, cheering them on their many successes while she curates her own unique and colorful path.” – Scott Barnhardt, Orange County School of the Arts

Leia Sanchez

“Leia is polite, kind, and sometimes shy. However, when she goes on stage, all of those inhibitions fly away and her beautiful voice and emotional performances fill the theater and reach everyone in it.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

Daisy Sellas

“Whether it’s her own song, or a choir piece we’re learning in class, or even a challenging role in one of our musicals – such as Mama Noah in “Children of Eden” or Martha in “Secret Garden” – Daisy gives it everything she’s got.” – Stacey Miles, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Valerie Tetreault

“Her endless range is equally matched by her ability to effortlessly adapt her voice to any style of music she is asked to perform. It feels as though every year, she finds some way to continue her musical growth in some way.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

NON-CLASSICAL

Elaine Arriola

“When you meet Elaine, her humble demeanor instantly strikes you. Her genuine love for performing is contagious and it affects every other person on stage with her.” – Jeanette McMahon, Godinez Fundamental High School

Alexander Avila

“Alex sings with heart and professionalism. He cares about the quality of each ensemble he is a part of, mentoring other singers in his section.” – Ryan Yoder, El Dorado High School

Adin Boyer

“He possesses a lovely baritone that yields itself to a wide range of musical styles, which will serve him well in his composition as well as a wide range of performance opportunities. His songwriting is immediately communicative and he shows an impressive level of sophistication in this area already at such a young age.” – Ryan Reithmeier, Orange County School of the Arts

Kristin Camacho

“I know that Kristin will pursue a career in music performance and I know that she will succeed. She has the strongest work ethic of anyone I know. Whenever she combines that work ethic with her musical creativity and passion, it is truly something special to behold.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

Alberto Hernandez

“He has a strong love for music and develops intimate connections with each piece he is involved with. Alberto is a true performer with a tangible excitement and passion for the arts. He has made immense progress as an artist and human, truly making every experience a learning one.” – Tim Nelson, Huntington Beach APA (Huntington Beach High School)

Carly James

“A musician and instrumentalist whom quietly excels in all areas which she participates, Carly James’ skills set her apart from her peers. With an ear harmonies and a stellar musicianship, Carly has dedicated much of her life to not only improving vocally, but learning the history and specifics of her craft.” – Brittany Casey, Dana Hills High School

Amy Jiang

“Amy has done remarkable work in learning the craft of jazz. One of the few students I have ever had that looked beyond the surface of great sound and rhythm, to the history and value to our culture that jazz represents. She does not just listen to and sing jazz, she studies it with depth that her knowledge might be woven into the craft of her performance.” – Zach Halop, Northwood High School

Jacob Kent

“Jacob stands out as an artist. Not just because of his incredible voice, not just because of his enormous heart, not even because of his undeniable passion for music. It is a combination of all of these things that make Jacob such a special and unique student.” – Megan Carvale, Orange Lutheran High School

Minji Kim

“She is gentle, but powerful. She is humble, but confident. She can be bold, but also sensitive. These attributes of Minji are going to blossom even more as she pursues to become a better musician and learn to use all of herself to bring forth the best artistry.” – Marian Mine, Brethren Christian High School

Kelly Kudlik

“She is diligent in preparation and takes pride in giving excellent performances when she sings. Her vocal abilities are clearly advanced but what sets her a part is the heart she brings into each performance.” – Ryan Yoder, El Dorado High School

Claire Lisle

“A vocalist with a special alto tone, Claire is a true musician and performer. When asked to describe Claire in a word, it would be consistent. Without fail, Claire will deliver quality performances at all times.” – Brittany Casey, Dana Hills High School

Tiffany Lubrino

“Tiffany has been hard working, determined, positive, and successful. She is one of our brightest and best students, and has a record of consistent excellence.” – Jonathan Arnold, Cornelia Connelly High School

Emma Marting

“With little effort she brings you into the performance with such grace and nuance. When she is on stage, you watch her bring her characters to life so subtly; you are amazed at her talent and age. Emma is smart and is a natural performer.” – Jeanette McMahon, Godinez Fundamental High School

Alec Melosini

“Alec’s talent is exceptional; this is immediately evident when he performs. In addition to his incredible talent, Alec brings a work ethic that is paramount.” – Francisco Calvo, Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Anneka Miller

“She has been acting and singing most of her life, and I have been so proud of having her as part of every choir and musical ensemble since she was in middle school. Anneka throws herself into every challenge, and enjoys the learning process.” – Stacey Miles, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Gaurav Mishra

“Gaurav Mishra is the most musically gifted student I have ever met. In addition to his vocal abilities and creative vocal stylings, he also plays at least 10 instruments (not an exaggeration) very well and composes some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard.” – Alexander Willert, Brea Olinda High School

Adam Ritter

“Adam Ritter is a multi-talented young man. He chose our school because he could be both an athlete and a performer. Along the way he learned some hard lessons about choices, but in the end his passion for performing won out, and he gave up a starting varsity position to fully invest himself in his performing for his senior year.” – Scott Hedgecock, Fullerton Union High School

Benjamin Sellers

“Ben’s excitement and enthusiasm for music is why I chose him. He is inquisitive about the arts and the world at large, and always brings fresh ideas and excitement to everything he does.” – Sarah Norris, Mission Viejo High School

Emily Silva

“Emily has been a shining star since she was a freshman. She has a versatile instrument and is able to sing well in a variety of styles. Her strength is singing in a jazz/big band style.” – Justin Miller, Mater Dei High School

Kate Simpson

“She is knowledgeable in a variety of styles and genres of performance and her performance presence is remarkable. Kate is a professional onstage, but allows her love of rehearsal and practice to shine through when appropriate.” – Samantha Sanford, Dana Hills High School

Julia Ungaro

“I have seen Julia grown leaps and bounds with her vocal technique and control. Julia has been a featured soloist in almost every choral department show since she joined the program as a freshman.” – Moana Dherlin, Los Alamitos High School

Marcus Veyette

“Marcus possesses a fine natural instrument, and works very hard to hone his vocal skills with private study and grabbing every opportunity to expand range, repertoire and technique. His ear for contrasting styles in the vocal field is astounding, and he has mastered several styles that make him quite a well rounded vocalist.” – Tim Nelson, Huntington Beach APA (Huntington Beach High School)

Bryce Victor

“His natural ability to lead, combined with his musicianship are the reasons that he is chosen nearly every year to act as ensemble master for our musical productions.” – Stacey Miles, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Sophia Wackerman

“Sophia is a stunning vocalist and her voice is a feature of the entire choral program at Los Alamitos High School. In addition to her incredible soprano vocal control and performance talent, she is an excellent musician.” – Moana Dherlin, Los Alamitos High School

Heide Janssen joined the Register in 2013 when she was recruited to develop Varsity Arts, a section dedicated to weekly news and stories about high school arts programs and students. She curates all content that appears in Varsity Arts and created the Artist of the Year program to honor the top high school artists in the county. Prior to joining the Register, she worked in administrative and producing capacities at major theater companies including South Coast Repertory, the Old Globe in San Diego, the Ahmanson in Los Angeles, the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Court Theater in Chicago, and Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven. In the world of education, she helped to establish the Orange County Cappies and created the RoleAbout Theatre Festival, both which she ran for 10 years before joining the Register. She also taught theater and English at Mission Viejo High School. She earned a BA in English from the University of Minnesota in 1994 and an MFA in Theater Management from the Yale School of Drama in 2008.